Ingram also says that Taylor did not abide by the lease terms, by failing to give an account of any damage in the prescribed 15 days after the lease expired, by not allowing Grassroots officials to accompany Taylor's inspectors, and by failing to return the deposit within 30 days of expiration.
A partial refund of $5,665.20 was received Oct. 4, according to court filings.
Taylor said he has done all he can.
"I worked diligently with them during and after the lease to solve all their problems," he said. "I think they're wrong. I don't feel I owe them any settlement."
Taylor confirmed that he had offered to compromise by returning more of the money. Ingram said the offer was for an additional refund of $2,100, which her board rejected.
Damage discovered after the nonprofit left included broken window locks, holes and crayon drawings on walls, a damaged handrail, broken furniture, missing ceiling tiles and broken lights, Taylor said.
Ingram conceded that one wall had been damaged slightly during the nonprofit's tenancy but said the rest of the damage existed when Grassroots moved in, which she says the photos show.
"We paid what I thought was a very high rent," said Mimi O'Donnell, board chairwoman for Grassroots. "We were over a barrel. We needed a place to put families."
Many nonprofits say they have felt the effects of the recession in the form of decreased grants and donations. Ingram said Grassroots has been notified that two grants for next year are being reduced by 10 percent.
O'Donnell said she believes Grassroots' status as a nonprofit makes it vulnerable in the current economic climate.
"We provide a service," she said. "Why would you do this to a nonprofit?"
Ingram initially filed the action in small-claims court but said the agency now has a pro bono attorney for the trial.
"If we were truly responsible for that much damage, we would pay for that," she said. "It's not just a matter of the money. We really feel we are correct in what we're asking for here."
